So now your bundle of joy has arrived yet the pounds you packed on during pregnancy have also decided to stick around. What do you need to know about losing weight after baby is born?
Patience, patience, patience!
Before you think about losing those pounds it’s recommended that you give your body ample time to recover before you start counting your calories. Give yourself until your 6-week postpartum check up before you start. If you are breastfeeding, it’s recommended to even wait until your baby is two months old as a change in diet could affect the quality of the breast milk. Be patient with yourself, your body has gone through enormous changes and you are still adjusting to the new lifestyle. Also, you’re going to need all the energy you can get!
Best tips for losing weight after baby is born
- Get Moving – The best way to lose those pregnancy pounds is through developing a routine of exercise. You may find that more difficult now as it seems that you don’t have any spare time but it’s something you can do with your baby. Three wheeled prams are excellent for jogging or walking at the park or even consider strapping your baby to your back or tummy in a baby carrier while you go out for walks or hikes in nature. Don’t train to exhaustion at the beginning; instead steadily build up your exercise routine over time.
- Diet – You want to make sure that you are getting plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. One way of cooking with more vegetables is to experiment with some new vegetarian recipes. You don’t need to be a vegetarian to eat vegetarian meals. Get your partner in on your new diet plan, losing weight is much easier in teams!
- Snack time – Keep an arsenal of healthy and tasty snacks at your disposal. Assorted nuts and seeds are a healthy and filling snack. Baby carrots, yogurt, blueberries, muesli bars and dried cereal are all great snack ideas. Search online to find some healthy snacks that appeal to you then make sure all you have in your pantry is full of them.
- Yoga – Yoga is a wonderful way to give yourself a much needed break, especially when life is so challenging with a new born. Join a yoga class to relax and clear your mind while stretching and toning your entire body. Not only is this exercise for your body, but a great way to develop and control our unruly minds.
The thing to remember here is to be patient. Some women’s bodies change after pregnancy so it may be difficult, if not impossible, to get back to what you were before your pregnancy. However, most women find they return to their size when their baby reaches six months.
